used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading He came up the walk with a peculiar directness of manner, as of one accustomed to go forward with eyes and will upon a single aim.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
anew
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
aimverbUS /eɪm/
point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
From this reading He came up the walk with a peculiar directness of manner, as of one accustomed to go forward with eyes and will upon a single aim.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He came up the walk with a peculiar directness of manner, as of one accustomed to go forward with eyes and will upon a single aim.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
austerenessnoun
extreme plainness
From this reading His silver-white beard, long and full, lent to this austereness a patriarchal dignity.
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
From this reading His silver-white beard, long and full, lent to this austereness a patriarchal dignity.
budnounUS /bʌd/
a partially opened flower
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She took him to her father’s door, but Dr. Ware was engaged with a patient.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He came up the walk with a peculiar directness of manner, as of one accustomed to go forward with eyes and will upon a single aim.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading His silver-white beard, long and full, lent to this austereness a patriarchal dignity.
directnessnounUS /dərˈektnəs/
trueness of course toward a goal
From this reading He came up the walk with a peculiar directness of manner, as of one accustomed to go forward with eyes and will upon a single aim.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading She took him to her father’s door, but Dr. Ware was engaged with a patient.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading She took him to her father’s door, but Dr. Ware was engaged with a patient.
to come or go into
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/
construct, build, or erect
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
expressiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspresɪv/
characterized by expression
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He came up the walk with a peculiar directness of manner, as of one accustomed to go forward with eyes and will upon a single aim.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading He came up the walk with a peculiar directness of manner, as of one accustomed to go forward with eyes and will upon a single aim.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading His silver-white beard, long and full, lent to this austereness a patriarchal dignity.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He came up the walk with a peculiar directness of manner, as of one accustomed to go forward with eyes and will upon a single aim.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He came up the walk with a peculiar directness of manner, as of one accustomed to go forward with eyes and will upon a single aim.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She took him to her father’s door, but Dr. Ware was engaged with a patient.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
lentnounUS /lent/
a period of 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday
From this reading His silver-white beard, long and full, lent to this austereness a patriarchal dignity.
lilacnounUS /ˈlaɪlæk/
any of various plants of the genus Syringa having large panicles of usually fragrant flowers
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading His silver-white beard, long and full, lent to this austereness a patriarchal dignity.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He came up the walk with a peculiar directness of manner, as of one accustomed to go forward with eyes and will upon a single aim.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He came up the walk with a peculiar directness of manner, as of one accustomed to go forward with eyes and will upon a single aim.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
a person who requires medical care
From this reading She took him to her father’s door, but Dr. Ware was engaged with a patient.
patriarchaladjectiveUS /ˌpeɪtriˈɑːrkəl/
characteristic of a form of social organization in which the male is the family head and title is traced through the male line
From this reading His silver-white beard, long and full, lent to this austereness a patriarchal dignity.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading He came up the walk with a peculiar directness of manner, as of one accustomed to go forward with eyes and will upon a single aim.
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
on the contrary
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
reckoningnounUS /ˈrekənɪŋ/
problem solving that involves numbers or quantities
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
Rhoda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
Identical; not different.
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
cut with a saw
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
severitynounUS /sɪˈverɪti/
used of the degree of something undesirable e.g. pain or weather
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
silver-whiteadjective
of a white that resembles silver
From this reading His silver-white beard, long and full, lent to this austereness a patriarchal dignity.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading He came up the walk with a peculiar directness of manner, as of one accustomed to go forward with eyes and will upon a single aim.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
in the near future
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
sternnessnounUS /ˈstɜːrnnəs/
the quality (as of scenery) being grim and gloomy and forbidding
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading His silver-white beard, long and full, lent to this austereness a patriarchal dignity.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading She took him to her father’s door, but Dr. Ware was engaged with a patient.
uncompromisingadjectiveUS /ənˈkɑːmprəmaɪzɪŋ/
not making concessions
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
underlyingadjectiveUS /ˌʌndərˈlaɪɪŋ/
in the nature of something though not readily apparent
From this reading As he approached and asked for Dr. Ware, Rhoda saw in his face something of that same quality of underlying sternness, a sternness expressive rather of uncompromising moral sense than of severity of feeling or of judgment, that marked her father’s countenance.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He came up the walk with a peculiar directness of manner, as of one accustomed to go forward with eyes and will upon a single aim.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He came up the walk with a peculiar directness of manner, as of one accustomed to go forward with eyes and will upon a single aim.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading He came up the walk with a peculiar directness of manner, as of one accustomed to go forward with eyes and will upon a single aim.
WarenounUS /wer/
articles of the same kind or material; usually used in combination: “silverware”, “software”
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
at the time that
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading He came up the walk with a peculiar directness of manner, as of one accustomed to go forward with eyes and will upon a single aim.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He came up the walk with a peculiar directness of manner, as of one accustomed to go forward with eyes and will upon a single aim.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The lilac bushes were again in bud and Rhoda Ware was looking at them, pulling down here and there a tall one to see if it was not farther advanced than the rest, and reckoning how soon they would burst into flower, when she saw a tall, erect old man enter the gate.
